Long Island’s LGBT Network and U.S. Green Building Council-Long Island Chapter held a groundbreaking Friday for an 18,000-square-foot eco-friendly community center in Patchogue.

The LGBT Network received a $500,000 New York State Regional Economic Development Council Award and a $500,000 matching capital grant from the Calamus Foundation to create this new 18,000 square-foot facility, the network’s fifth location.

Making a major investment to advance anti-discrimination protections for the growing number of older LGBT Americans, The Calamus Foundation of New York has awarded SAGE (Services and Advocacy for GLBT Elders) $1 million to expand its national LGBT Elder Housing Initiative, launched in early 2015 to combat widespread discrimination against LGBT older adults in senior housing.

The renovation cost $1.8 million. Financing came principally from New York City, the Calamus Foundation and the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation. The architect was Eric R. Cohen of Ethelind Coblin Architect.